Warm humid climates
In subtropical climates, ventilation and shade in summer become important, but some winter solar gain is also an advantage. Insulation levels should be chosen to balance the opportunity to cool down in the evenings by natural ventilation, against reducing airconditioning loads. Good site design and generous sheltered outdoor living can help reduce the conditioned indoor areas.
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| Design elements | Design essentials | Best practice design options | Recommended James Hardie materials |
| Siting | Site for exposure to summer breezes. Consider elevated construction in appropriate microclimate. | Use planting and building layout to ‘channel’ summer breezes, while preserving some winter sun access. | |
| Sub-floor and floor | Use lightweight construction in much of Brisbane and surrounds, where day/night temperature range is low, and include thermal mass via slab on ground where the day/night temperature range is significant. Where construction is elevated use an enclosed sub-floor. | Enclose sub-floor in HardiTex® system with Scyon™ Trim detail. | |
| Roof | Choose light coloured roof material and downward facing reflective foil sarkings. Ventilate roof space. | Use additional ceiling height and ceiling fans to minimise need for airconditioning. An alternative roof construction with a ‘ventilated reflective cavity’ and lined roof can effectively eliminate summer solar gain through roofs, and actually works better with dark roof colours. | For more information on alternative roof construction incorporating ventilated cavities and linings, register for updates at www.jameshardie.com.au |
| Walls | Use reflective and bulk insulation; choose light coloured wall materials. | Use ventilated reflective cavities to minimise solar gain through walls in summer. | |
| Openings | Allow passive solar access in winter months only. | Any James Hardie cladding material in combination with carefully placed reflective foil insulation. | |
| Clip-ons | Shade all east and west walls and glazing year round. Provide shaded and screened verandas for indooroutdoor living. | Shade whole building where possible in summer. Adjustable shading on north facing glazing. Screened and shaded outdoor living areas. | Consider shading buildings with HardiPanel compressed sheets used for awnings (design and detailed appropriately), and use HardiPanel compressed sheets for decks, verandas and terraces. Line veranda ceilings with HardiGroove lining or Versilux lining. See The Smarter Design Book for ideas on detailing at http://jameshardie.com.au/smarterdesign |
| Landscape elements | Use planting layout to ‘channel’ summer breezes, while preserving some winter sun access. |
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